Spurs notebook: Pop trying to keep language clean

PORTLAND, Ore. — Ever since Jerry Sloan’s abrupt retirement from the Utah Jazz in February 2011, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has held the unofficial title as the most foul-mouthed coach in the NBA.

So it qualified as breaking news when Popovich revealed he is making an effort to curb his salty language this season.

“I’m trying to tell my players, ‘Be better than me,’” he said.

At 64, Popovich admits it might be too late for a sailor to change his vocabulary.

“I don’t have a whole lot of time left to change it,” he said, “so I better hurry up.”

Leonard added to Jordan Brand team: Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard may not yet be the face of the Spurs’ franchise, as coach Gregg Popovich predicted he might one day be.

But Leonard is officially the feet of Nike’s iconic Jordan Brand.

The 22-year-old signed a deal to sport the Air Jordan shoes — the line produced for and made famous by Hall of Famer Michael Jordan since 1985 — and other Jordan Brand apparel.

Leonard has sported Air Jordan shoes in his two-plus seasons with the Spurs, but his attraction to the brand goes back to before he was an NBA player.

“I’ve been wearing Jordans really ever since I started playing,” Leonard said before the Spurs played at Portland on Saturday night.

“I’m excited he decided to bring me along.”

Leonard joins an exclusive group of NBA players as part of the Jordan Brand family. The roster includes Los Angeles Clippers stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.

Leonard is the fourth new player added to the Jordan Brand roster this month.

Portland memories: Saturday night’s game against the Trail Blazers marked a homecoming of sorts for several Spurs.

Point guard Patty Mills played his first two seasons in Portland from 2009-11, where forward Jeff Ayres — then known as Jeff Pendergraph — was a teammate.

Assistant coach Ime Udoka was born and raised in Portland, played college ball at Portland State and spent one season with the Blazers in 2006-07. Another assistant coach, Sean Marks, capped his career with one season in Portland in 2010-11.

All four were greeted warmly by Blazers fans, whose attachment to their team rivals the bond San Antonians feel for the Spurs.

“I think that’s why I feel in contact with the people in San Antonio, because it’s very similar,” Mills said. “They love their basketball. They’re fanatic fans. They love every bit of it.